Graduated from USC pharmacy school a few years ago. I wish someone had told me these things before I started. This is my honest review…For being one of the most expensive programs in the nation, USC has under delivered.
Cons
Students are treated poorly.
I can't say I ever was.crappy facilities - overcrowded, old building.
Not a big deal for me, but I saw it before I decided to attend.
poor management - good professors are not given promotions while the bad run the place.
more poor management - miscommunication and lack of organization - rotation sites being lost due to not following up with preceptors. Ask any of the third years when it comes time to rank their rotations and wait for the results. Certain faculty members should be fired but continue to run the school.
you’d think there would be more partnerships with local hospitals/businesses to hire interns but there isn’t.
As for partnering with local hospitals/businesses, I'm not sure how many networking opportunities there are including interns coming in to announce job opportunities, meet and greets with large employers, summer internship interviews, etc. But it is no small number.
very slow to change – feedback from students mostly ignored
Definitely slow to change. I won't disagree.fraternity politics is detrimental to all students (seriously)
Fraternity politics is ever present, not sure I'd go as far as to say detrimental, but certainly sways elections.lack of flexibility in curriculum - few electives, shove clinical down your throat. Ucsf has different paths for students to take.
I'd agree with few electives. Since clinical pharmacy is universally needed, I'm not sure it's a bad thing as alluded to in your positives, but I agree that electives could be tailored better to differing fields of pharmacy.almost no job placement help including residency preparation.
So the residency fair, career fair and other networking opportunities don't count? There's certainly no job handed to you with your diploma, but there were plenty of opportunities for CV review, interview tips, residency workshops, etc.Those who went to usc for undergrad will tell you that undergrad was run infinitely better. Or if you start the program, compare it to the other grad programs at usc
Never asked any of the SC undergrads how pharmacy school compared to undergrad
feeling that you are being taken advantage of – such as being free labor for the county system.
That feeling is certainly expressed, But did you want them to partner with local hospitals/employers or not. Sounds like a beggars/choosers issue to me.admissions committee increasingly selects “book smart” people.
Can't argue with the high degree of success of those book smart people in my experience. Sure some aren't blessed with social skills, but that's not necessary in all areas of pharmacy either.crappy location (east LA), high cost of living in decent areas.
True statement, but it's California, try finding cheap cost of living at SF or SD, or even Pomona quite frankly.yes, a lot of successful people came out of this program. this was mostly due to self motivation and not that the school helped you . at times you may feel that the school is an obstacle.
Welcome to the real world, where you actually have to be self motivated. The school presents opportunities, if you don't take them, it's not their fault.very little scholarship money (unless you have perfect grades or you are a minority). Seriously unless you are rich, consider other cheaper schools first. Even if you are scared of leaving California, you won’t regret it
I'd agree there aren't boatloads of money for people who don't fill certain niches, but when I applied I got something, which is better than the nothing I got when I didn't apply.I won’t be completely negative….. Pros – nationally recognized program, good alumni network, you come out competent in pharmacy, football
Amazing that one could come out competent in pharmacy with all the negatives listed.In the end, yes there are cheaper schools where someone could come out equivalently prepared for pharmacy, or perhaps better prepared. Not all the faculty are living legends in pharmacy, and sometimes you may have to work your own way through the maze that is finding your desired electives, rotations, etc. But it's a complete school with opportunities to network, find work, and become a decent pharmacist regardless of your area of concentration.
Really consider going to a cheaper alternative.. in fact there are higher ranked public schools out of state that will save you a fortune and you will probably be a lot happier
I really expected a lot more for mortgaging my future. I guess I was too optimistic. At the very least, the USC brand and knowledge acquired is somewhat of a consolation
People make fun of the new schools in California, but USC better watch out. They have nothing to lose and trying to differentiate themselves. Will usc remain competitive? I don’t know.. for now, I’d still hire usc grads over some of the no name schools but for how long?
Many of my classmates and I always wondered where our money really goes. And good luck ever getting donations from your recent grads.. I am not alone in feeling this way. I seriously hope change is made soon
